Sometimes on an elevator panel, there's no 4 after 3, but an F instead. A foreign student once asked, "Is F for Floor?" He asked me that once. No, it isn't. In most cases, it's the F of Four. So F means the 4th floor. ## They avoid it because of the sound In Korean, the number 4 is read as "sa." The character 死 (death) is also read as "sa." Because the sounds are the same, many people feel that seeing a 4 reminds them of death. That's why some buildings label the 4th floor as F. There are even buildings that go straight from the 3rd floor to the 5th floor. Some places skip the number 4 in hospital room numbers or parking numbers. ## An Unwritten Rule It isn't written anywhere, but many people follow it. For example, when buying a gift, they don't bundle cups or plates in sets of four. They are even more careful if the gift is for an elder. Breaking it isn't a big deal, though. However, even if the person receiving it doesn't say anything, their expression may stiffen for a moment. ## It Differs from Building to Building These Days Not everyone believes in it. Many buildings use the 4th floor as it is, and many young people just laugh and say, "It's just a number." Here's a tip you can use right away. If the meeting place is on the "5th floor" but there's no button for the 4th floor, the 5th floor may actually be the fourth floor. If you get confused, look at the signboard. It's safe to buy gifts in sets of three or five.